Review: 'Phantom,' crime novel by Jo Nesbo

In Norwegian author Jo Nesbo's novels about Harry Hole, the starkness of the former police detective's life mirrors the bleak reality of the city where he has lived and worked, Oslo. But there is nothing dismal about Nesbo's expert storytelling, innovative plotting or ability to paint complete portraits of his characters, from their finest qualities to their secret sins.

"Phantom," the ninth novel about Hole, is Nesbo's most realistic and most affecting. The villains are ones you might meet on the street or, heaven forbid, living next door -- which makes "Phantom" even more chilling.

Hole has been away from Oslo for three years, a self-imposed exile in Hong Kong after he lost his job as detective. Besides leaving Oslo, he also left Rakel, the great love of his life, and her son, Oleg, whom Harry had helped raise.

It is Oleg, now 18 years old, who has brought the former detective back. The boy has been arrested and accused of shooting another teenager, Gusto Hanssen, in a drug den.

With help from his few friends left on the force, Harry immerses himself in the drug scene, which reaches from street corners to airline pilots to the police. To break this case, he needs the truth as much as he needs air to breathe, no matter the cost.